"I-35" is the name of a cocktail at The Westy, a tongue in cheek reference to 35th SW and the frequent high speed cars that travel along it. The road is slated to get what many feel are long overdue changes before the end of the year.

The Seattle Department of Transportation after a series of public meetings and a period of data collection has narrowed down the options for 35th SW to two primary choices, but in both, the roadway will change to 30mph and be reduced to three lanes. This "rechannelization" according to SDOT Project Manager Jim Curtin (an Arbor Heights resident) has proven to be very effective in reducing accidents and improving pedestrian safety, in other parts of the city. It would mean a reduction in travel time of about 1 minute from Roxbury Street SW to Avalon Way SW.

That three mile stretch of road sees 16,000 to 24,600 vehicles per day and has has had 294 collisions in the last three years, and five fatalities in the last 10 years.

Think college is hard? The non-stop studying, demanding professors, student loans and crazy class schedules can make any undergrad question why they ever left home in the first place.

However, try saying that after you hear Shelby Hinton’s story. A West Seattle native and recent graduate of Western Washington University, Hinton went to college excited about working hard and receiving a degree, just like any other young person fresh out of high school would.

Additionally, Hinton was a first-generation student, meaning she was the first person in her family to attend college. Being first-generation can make the event of tackling college even more motivating and meaningful.

But Hinton’s experience was not like most others. During her sophomore year, Hinton got sick with the flu, which then seemed to turn into pneumonia. But after going to see the doctor, Hinton learned that what she actually had was a life-threatening liver disease.

“That was pretty shocking,” Hinton said. “No one in my family ever had a problem with it. Being a sophomore, I didn’t know what it really meant to have a liver disease.”

A few months ago in this space I wrote about the side effects that come with certain medications and other products. This column is sort of a part two of that---although if this one seems even more incoherent than usual---and has some occasional werds that are misprelled---there is good reason.

I have taken a new medicine that my doctor prescribed yesterday---and it is loaded with possible side effects.

For one thing, it may possibly make me feel dizzy. Especially if taken while on a merry-go-round. It might also make me feel sleepy---particularly if taken while watching a televised Seattle City Council meeting.
It warns that I should not drive a car after taking the medication---but doesn’t say anything about driving a truck, motorcycle or bus---so I figure I’ll still be able to get around.

But beyond that, I’m supposed to avoid working with machines. So I’ve had to reluctantly tell my wife that as long as I’m taking this stuff, I won’t be able to operate a washing machine, clothes iron or vacuum cleaner.